Over 30 different bills that would increase taxes on Louisiana residents and businesses advanced out of a House committee today. Jeff Palermo has the story…
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Tornado watches are still posted across south Louisiana. The New Orleans area is under a watch box until 10 o’clock. There are been some suspected tornadoes spotted as a cluster of storms move through the state. There have been reports of property damange from the strong winds and power outages. No major injuries have been reported.

 
State lawmakers are discussing behind closed doors to file a proposed constitutional amendment in the special session that would ask Louisianaians to vote on legalizing recreational marijuana so the state could tax it. Jesse McCormick, the head of the Louisiana Cannabis Association, says they argue that these discussions need to be had as the state deals with such a major budget crisis that schools could be closed or lights turned off at hospitals…:
CUT 4 (07) “benefiting from”

But he believes getting such a constitutional amendment out of the legislature will be tough…:

The Louisiana Public Service Commission is set to vote tomorrow on whether or not Cleco will be sold for nearly 5 million dollars to the investment group Macquarie Infrastructure. Cleco says this merger will not charge utility customers for any costs related to the sale and their rates will not go up. Cleco claims the transaction will result in 143 million dollars in credits to customers over the next 15 years.